How To Master The Art Of Networking Follow-Up

I don’t want to pass up the opportunity to share an article I read about networking. Here are a few highlights:

You’ve attended a networking event. Now what? You have a?pocket full of business cards and no idea what to do with them.

Business cards have no value if you don’t use them, so let’s go over?some simple ideas to help you maximise the initial interaction you?had with someone. A networking event is just the jumping-off point for?starting a new professional relationship -- your follow-up is the key to?developing it. And since the clock starts ticking as soon as you meet, it's best to start at step 1 within 24 hours.

Let’s get to it and learn how to follow?up like a pro:

1. Send a quick email.

?Take your new contact's email off of?that little rectangular piece of paper they gave you and craft them an email. Simply?say that?you enjoyed meeting them and try to reflect back on a point from?the conversation. Something like, “It was so nice to meet you at the?Chamber of Commerce event last night! Best of luck with your son’s?baseball championship this weekend!” If you’d like to have a follow-up, you can say that as well -- just add,?“We started to talk about the synergies we have in our prospecting and?I’d love to continue that conversation. How does your schedule look?next Thursday to grab coffee or lunch?”

It doesn’t have to be long or formal, but you need to move the ball forward.

2. Link in on LinkedIn.?

Since LinkedIn offers so many free tools to keep your?contacts front-of-mind for you (and you to them), what’s the harm in?connecting and seeing them pop up in your email on their birthday,?when they have a work anniversary, or get a new job? All these are occasions for follow-up. So after you've met, link up on LinkedIn too.

3. Create?'reconnect files.'?

After you have a follow-up meeting or phone conversation with?someone you’ve met,?I suggest you?create what I like to call "reconnect files."?They are?handy,?color-coded reminders that you can schedule?once a month. Include some information about how you met and what you’ve discussed in the?notes. When that?name pops up each month, reach out to catch?up, maybe set up another meeting, or send something that might?be valuable, like an invite to another event, a great article?or?an introduction.

It isn’t necessary to?reach out to every contact every month they appear, but it’s a?great way to stay in touch.

4. Remember birthdays (and the small stuff).?

Even if you don't have your contact's birthdays on file, Facebook and LinkedIn make?it easy for you to reach out. Social media also provides other occasions to reach out. For example, is?one of your contacts’ having a family?celebration soon? A surgery? A child? Reach out and send your well?wishes.

These small gestures will go a long way. They mean even more?if you hand-write a note and mail it.

5. Give first. Expect nothing in return.?

During your initial meeting,?did your new contact?mention?a need overtly or in passing? Perhaps they mentioned that their sibling is a job seeker??If so, maybe you can follow up and inquire about what he/she wants to do and?ask for a resume to pass to a few possible connectors or companies?who are hiring.

This is one example of many possible scenarios, but?what’s important is to seek out opportunities in which you can help?someone with a need they have. Take the lead and expect nothing in?return. Most people are wired with a reciprocity mentality; continue to do this, and you’ll grow a positive reputation as?someone who pays it forward. People will be attracted to you and will?want to help you in return.

6. Set up a one-to-one meeting.?

Be clear about your intentions for any meeting?beforehand so the other party can prepare accordingly. Ideally, make?it somewhere that is convenient for the other person, or worst case,?midway between you both,?easily accessible,?has plenty of parking,?and will have a quiet (enough) space for you to talk. The first one-on-one meeting is about further developing your rapport with your new?contact. Rather than forcing your agenda on them by?leading with things about you and your business, let them ask.

7.?Use the power of one connection to open many doors.?

Any contact with?whom you interact knows hundreds, if not thousands, of other people.?This makes the power of your conversation exponential. Remember: When you’re talking to someone, you’re?actually speaking to their entire network. The same goes for them with you.

So once you’ve developed real trust with someone, you'll?want?to be more intentional about how you help them.

However you do it, sharing your list allows you to reach?back out to others in your network to offer a potentially valuable?introduction. Once you’ve warmed up the third party on the connection,?close the circle and make the warm introduction.

Want to know more? Head on over to the full article here for more ideas and perspectives. Afterwards, why not drop me an email to share your thoughts at [email protected] ; or call me on 0467 749 378.

Thanks,

Robert